If there's one thing that will never get old, no matter how long "The Simpsons" goes on for, it's Bart vs. Skinner. This was another great chapter in their war, starting with Bart having fun with magnets and never looking back. I didn't see "The Departed", so I can't really comment on the similarities, but as a Simpsons episode, it's a strong one. Topher Grace also brought the goods as the new kid.

The side plot with Homer and the replacement car somewhat bored me and I can't honestly even remember what the payoff was.

Still, a rousing thumbs up.

One last thing I should mention is that Lunch Lady Dorris has returned...sounding a lot like Lindsay Neagle. Yeesh! They should have just done like they did with Phil Hartman's characters and retired her for good. It's just not the same.

Definitely one of the better episodes of recent seasons. I didn't see the movie, either, but it worked well anyway. The early parts were reminiscent of one of my favorite episodes of the whole series, Lisa's Rival, but from Bart's very different perspective. I could have done without the outhouse bit and the weather in the car, but almost everything else was good.

The payoff to the loaner car story, FWIW, was Homer seeing that some guys were going to buy his old car and wreck it, and so he took it back. Loved the "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" parody.

Definately the best episode in a long time, especially because it didn't use either of their stock plots - "Homer gets crazy job" and "Homer and Marge have a fight." The rat symbolizes obviousness was one of the best laughs I've had in a while.

I'll echo the love. Best episode in a LONG time, and back to back with KOTH last night it was an Hour of Awesome. It didn't necessarily feel like a classic Simpsons episode as much as a really damn good effort from another series, but that's good enough for me.

You guys don't have HBO or Cinemax either - or you'd have the movie memorized line by line by now. And that's actually a good thing, it is one of the most re-watchable HBO movies of all time as far as I'm concerned.